It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.

Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.

When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?

Heart's Safe Passage Discussion Questions: Laurie Alice Eakes

1: How does Phoebe justify her actions in trying to get back to land?

2: Are her actions justified, or should she have accepted her fate without a struggle?

3: How would you react if someone forced you—literally—to do something you didn’t want to do?

4: What was your first impression of Rafe?

5: What did Phoebe do right in building a relationship with him?

6: What did she do wrong?

7: How does Phoebe handle well or mishandle Belinda?

8: What could Phoebe have done better?

9: How did Phoebe fall in love with Rafe, while not condoning his motivations and actions?

10: How much, if at all, do you think the romance, the developing love between Phoebe and Rafe led to their emotional and spiritual healing?